It’s Veganuary, the month that many challenge themselves to go without animal products including meat and cheese.
If you want to try a plant-based diet, here are five local restaurants that may make you want to forgo a carnivorous diet for good.
Vegan Castle (2400 Santa Fe Ave.)
This new West Long Beach vegan restaurant, which opened in July, is the talk of the town. They do vegan takes on all of classic sushi rolls: crunchy roll, spicy tuna, tempura, along with house specials such as the Long Beach Roll and Santa Fe Roll.
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Click here to see the full menu.
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Pancho’s Vegan Tacos (1837 E. Seventh St.)
Pancho’s menu celebrates a wide swath of Mexican staples: burritos, tortas, enchiladas, quesadillas, sopes, tostadas, huaraches, albondigas, pozole and nachos. And that’s not even including the desserts and aqua frescas (yes, vegan horchata!). There’s also a selection of American mainstays including a medley of burgers and hotdogs made from Beyond or Impossible plant-based meat.
For every day of the week Pancho’s advertises specials: Meatless Mondays mean 10% off the entire menu. Tuesdays are, of course, Taco Tuesday and offer either three tacos and a drink or just four tacos for $6.50. On Wednesday, nachos are $7.25. Tostadas on Thursdays are $2.99. On Friday, burritos are $6.99. Sopes on Saturdays are $2.99. And on Sunday, chilaquiles are $6.25.
For more information and the full menu, click here.
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Seabirds Kitchen (975 E. Fourth St.)
Seabirds has a cult-like following and for good reason: The small shop off Fourth Street, just a tad east of Alamitos, serves up some of the highest quality vegan creations in the entire region, distinctly unique plates that are addictive and comforting.
You can also score elegant dishes such as Cauliflower Ceviche or go full-on decadent with their unparalleled beer-battered avocado tacos.
Click here to see the full menu.
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Under the Sun (244 E. Third St.)
The first entirely raw vegan joint to open in Long Beach, Under the Sun is the brainchild of Chrissy Cox and Dawna Bass, both of whom had already built a local juicing empire with Rainbow Juices.
If anything, Under the Sun focuses on the magic of raw food, creating seemingly impossible dishes without a single ounce of heat.
We’re talkin’ raw vegan cheesecakes (like the masterful guava cheesecake) and truffles. Cashew-culture cream cheese. Almond activated bread. Papaya sushi.
See the full menu here.
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The Grain Cafe (4403 E. Fourth St.)
The Grain Cafe, located across the street from Viva Falafel, is nothing short of an ode to vegan cooking skills and its Oaxacan origins.
You can find a burrito drenched in a mole negro, complete with your choice of vegan chicken, vegan burger patty, or tempeh. You can find chicken pesto pasta.
And you can find plenty of sweets by the form of multiple cakes, including the astounding strawberry almond cake and coconut cake.
See the full menu here.
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